Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PROTECTIVE BICYCLE HELMET WITH INTERNAL VENTILATION SYSTEM
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 13/838,138,
filed March 15,
2013, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
61/621,237, filed April 6, 2012. This application also claims the benefit of
and priority to
copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/621,237, filed April 6,
2012. The
entire contents of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention generally relates to a protective bicycle helmet, more
particularly to
a protective bicycle helmet having a unique internal ventilation system that
reduces heat
build-up and retention, and that can provide an adjustable fit for the helmet
wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A physical impact to the head of a person may cause serious injury
or death. To
reduce the probability of such consequences, protective gear, such as a
helmet, is often used
in activities that are associated with an increased level of risk for a head
injury. Examples of
such activities include, but are not limited to, skiing, snowboarding,
bicycling, rollerblading,
rock climbing, skate boarding, and motorcycling. In general, a helmet is
designed to maintain
its structural integrity and stay secured to the head of a wearer during an
impact.
[0004] Accordingly, a bicycle helmet is designed to protect the cyclist's
(or wearer's)
head, including to absorb and dissipate energy during an impact with a
surface, such as the
ground. In this regard, most bicycle helmets are designed only to withstand a
single major
impact, and to thereafter be replaced with a new helmet. Bicycle helmet
interiors include
impact attenuating materials such as an arrangement of padding and/or foam,
wherein the
impact attenuating materials cover and contact a significant extent of the
wearer's head. In
this manner, the impact attenuating materials directly or intimately contact
the wearer's head,
however, this arrangement can result in undesirable heat build-up and/or
retention when the
helmet is worn during the sporting activity. The heat build-up and/or heat
retention is
exacerbated in a variety of conditions, such as when the cyclist is
participating in a race or
training session in a warm environment.
[0005] Some bicycle helmets seek to reduce heat retention by providing
openings and
channels in the helmet shell and the impact attenuating materials. The
openings and channels
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are configured to promote air movement over portions of the wearer's head. For
example, a
conventional helmet sold by Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. includes a
front inlet
formed in the helmet shell and configured to provide for flow of inlet air
onto and over the
wearer's forehead. Channels are provided over and around a crown area of the
head, and a
rear port communicating with the channels discharges air flow supplied by the
front inlet
through the channels while the wearer moves in a forward direction relative to
the ground.
However, the impact attenuating material of this conventional helmet directly
contacts the
wearer's head.
[0006] The conventional helmet suffers from a number of limitations
including reduced
structural integrity of the helmet shell due to the front inlet and the rear
port. The reduced
structural integrity also impacts the helmet's protection factor. Also,
ventilating the helmet
by providing a collection of openings and channels in the helmet shell
increases aerodynamic
drag of the helmet while the wearer moves in a forward direction, such as
during a race or
training session. What is needed is a protective bicycle helmet that does not
rely exclusively
upon a collection of openings, including inlets and ports, formed in the
helmet shell to
provide ventilation and facilitate air movement over a wearer's head within
the helmet.
[0007] The present invention is provided to solve these limitations and to
provide
advantages and aspects not provided by conventional bicycle helmets. A full
discussion of
the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the
following detailed
description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a protective helmet that
includes a number of
improvements intended to increase the ventilating attributes of the helmet,
including an
internal ventilation system configured to contact the wearer's head.
Therefore, in some
aspects, a bicycle helmet for protecting the head of a wearer includes an
outer shell and an
energy dissipating inner layer coupled to the outer shell. The inner layer
defines an inner
surface, and a front attachment location is inwardly offset from the inner
surface substantially
at a frontal portion of the helmet. A rear attachment location is inwardly
offset from the inner
surface substantially at a rear portion of the helmet. The internal
ventilation structure is
configured for direct engagement with the head of the wearer for supporting
the helmet upon
the head of the wearer. The internal ventilation system, the front attachment
location, and the
rear attachment location cooperate to define a functional gap between the head
of the wearer
and the inner surface.
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[0009] While it is desirable that a protective bicycle helmet prevents
injuries from
occurring, it should be noted that due to the nature of recreational or
competitive bicycling,
no helmet, including the helmet of the present invention, can completely
prevent injuries to
bicyclists. It should be further noted that no protective equipment can
completely prevent
injuries to a cyclist, particularly when such equipment is improperly used, or
when the cyclist
disobeys the rules of the road or engages in other reckless or dangerous
conduct. When
properly worn, the helmet of the present invention is believed to offer
protection to cyclists,
but it is believed that no helmet can, or will ever, totally and completely
prevent injuries to
bicyclists.
[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from
the
following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way
of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012] FIG. la illustrates a bicyclist wearing a bicycle helmet.
[0013] FIG. lb is a left side view of an embodiment of an inventive bicycle
helmet with
an internal ventilation system.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of the helmet of FIG. lb.
[0015] FIG. 3 is schematic side view showing the helmet of FIG. lb in
partial section and
secured to the head of a wearer.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view similar to FIG. 3 showing airflow
through the
helmet.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the helmet of FIG. lb showing an internal
ventilation
system.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the helmet of FIG.
lb.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a section view taken through line 7-7 of FIG. 2, and with
portions of the
helmet removed for drawing clarity.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the internal ventilation system for
the helmet of
FIG. lb in an uninstalled configuration.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an enlarged bottom view showing a frontal portion of the
helmet of
FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an enlarged bottom left perspective view of the helmet of
FIG. lb
showing a forward attachment location for the internal ventilation system.
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[0023] FIG. 11 is an enlarged bottom view of the helmet of FIG. lb showing
rear
attachment locations for the internal ventilation system.
[0024] FIG. 12 is an enlarged bottom left perspective view of the helmet of
FIG. lb
showing the frontal portion of the helmet and a front portion of the internal
ventilation
system.
[0025] FIG. 13 is an enlarged bottom left perspective view of the helmet of
FIG. lb
showing the rear attachment locations for the internal ventilation system.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an inventive
bicycle
helmet with an internal ventilation system.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the helmet of FIG. 14 showing an
alternative
embodiment of an internal ventilation system.
[0028] FIG. 16 is an enlarged bottom view of a frontal portion of the
helmet of FIG. 14.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a top view of the alternative internal ventilation system
removed from
the helmet of FIG. 14.
[0030] While the invention will be described in connection with the
preferred
embodiments shown herein, it will be understood that it is not intended to
limit the invention
to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all
alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by
the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different
forms, there
is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred
embodiments of the
invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to
limit the broad aspect
of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[0032] In the Figures, and referring initially to FIG. la, a cyclist (or
wearer) 2 is shown
riding a bicycle 4 and wearing the inventive bicycle helmet 10. The helmet 10
is secured to
the head 6 of the wearer or cyclist by a chinstrap assembly 22. As discussed
further below,
when the cyclist 2 pedals the bicycle 4 and travels in a forward direction,
air flows through
the helmet 10 and over the wearer's head 6, thereby cooling the wearer's head
6.
[0033] Referring also to FIGS. lb and 2, an embodiment of the helmet 10 in
accordance
with the present invention is shown and includes a relatively hard, impact-
resistant outer shell
14, at least one energy dissipating inner layer 18, the chinstrap assembly 22
for securing the
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helmet 10 to the wearer's head 6, and an adjustment mechanism 26 for adjusting
the fit of the
helmet 10 on the wearer's head 6. In some embodiments the outer shell 14
comprises a hard
plastic material, such as polycarbonate; however, in other embodiments, the
outer shell 14
may also or alternatively comprise KEVLAR, ABS plastic, carbon fiber,
fiberglass, and the
like. In some embodiments, the inner layer 18 comprises expanded polystyrene
("EPS");
however, in other embodiments, the inner layer 18 may also or alternatively
comprise
expanded polypropylene ("EPP") or other energy management or energy absorbing
materials.
The chinstrap assembly 22 includes connectable segments attached to one or
both of the outer
shell 14 and the inner layer 18 for securing the helmet 10 to the wearer's
head 6, as generally
known in the art. The helmet 10 includes a frontal portion 30 that overlies
the wearer's
forehead, a top or crown portion 34 that overlies the crown region of the
wearer's head 6, and
a rear portion 38 that overlies at least the wearer's occipital region.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the helmet 10 includes a plurality of
ribs 42
extending longitudinally substantially between the frontal and rear portions
30, 38 and
connected by generally laterally extending webs 46. The ribs 42 and webs 46
cooperate to
define ventilation openings 52 that extend through the helmet 10 from the
helmet exterior to
the helmet interior. The helmet 10 of FIGS. la-13 is what is known in the
cycling field as a
"road" helmet and is designed for general use during recreational and certain
types of
competitive cycling. It should be appreciated that the inventive concepts and
teachings
discussed herein are equally applicable to other types of bicycle helmets,
such as a "sprinter"
helmet, as shown in FIG. 14, and an "aero" helmet. As shown in FIG. 14 and as
understood
by those in the art, a sprinter helmet is designed to be more aerodynamic than
the illustrated
road helmet 10, and as such has a more smoothly contoured outer shell 14 and
fewer
ventilation openings 52. As also understood by those in the art, an aero
helmet is designed to
be even more aerodynamic, having a substantially streamlined shape that
resembles a "tear-
drop" configuration. Aero helmets are also configured to have as few
ventilation openings 52
as possible, and in many cases have no ventilation openings whatsoever. As
those skilled in
the art will come to appreciate, the benefits and advantages associated with
the inventive
concepts and teachings discussed herein may become more apparent to the wearer
as the
number of ventilation openings 52 in the helmet 10 decrease.
[0035] Referring also to FIGS. 3-7, the helmet 10 includes an internal
ventilation system
56 that adjustably contacts the wearer's head 6 to support the helmet 10 while
defining a
ventilation gap G or offset between the wearer's head 6 and an inner surface
58 of the inner
helmet layer 18. This ventilation gap G extends across the outer surface of
the wearer's head
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6 from the wearer's forehead region over the crown region and to the occipital
region.
Because the inner surface 58 of the inner layer 18 is spaced apart from the
wearer's head 6,
ventilating air can flow through the gap G and between the wearer's head 6 and
the inner
surface 58. This ventilation gap G is provided in helmets having several
ventilation openings
52, such as the illustrated helmet 10, and also is provided in helmets having
few or no
ventilation openings, such as the sprinter and aero helmets discussed above.
[0036] Referring also to FIG. 8, the illustrated embodiment of the internal
ventilation
system 56 is in the form of a web-like structure that includes a plurality of
generally
longitudinally extending fingers 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d, 60e, and 60f (referred to
collectively
hereinafter as fingers 60). The fingers 60 generally converge with one another
at a front
portion 61 of the internal ventilation system 56, which is located
substantially at the frontal
portion 30 of the helmet 10 when the internal ventilation system 56 is
installed in the helmet
10. As shown in FIG. 8, when not installed in the helmet 10 the internal
ventilation system
56 is substantially flat and the fingers 60 extend away from the front portion
61. The internal
ventilation system 56 is flexible such that, when installed in the helmet 10,
the fingers 60 are
curved and generally follow the curvature of the inner layer 18.
[0037] Each of the fingers 60 has a pair of rails 65 intermittently joined
by transverse ribs
71. The rails 65 and the ribs 71 cooperate to define a plurality of finger
ventilation apertures
66 in the form of generally elongated slots 66a. The finger ventilation
apertures 66 can
further improve the ventilating characteristics of the internal ventilation
system 56 by
minimizing the total surface area of the internal ventilation system 56 that
is in intimate
contact with the wearer's head 6. Alternatively the fingers 60 are configured
with a single
rail 65 that precludes the apertures 66. Some embodiments of the internal
ventilation system
56 are formed of a substantially rigid but flexible material, such as rubber,
plastic, carbon
fiber, and the like. The fingers 60 may also include an additional material,
such as a coating,
to facilitate engagement with the wearer's head 6.
[0038] The fingers 60 of the illustrated embodiment are arranged
substantially in pairs. A
first pair of the fingers 60 includes the outer fingers 60a and 60f that
extend generally from
the helmet frontal portion 30 toward the helmet rear portion 38 by extending
laterally around
the side portions of the helmet 10. The outer fingers 60a, 60f include pad
portions 67 that, in
the illustrated embodiment, are located approximately one-quarter to one-third
of the way
rearward along the length of the outer fingers 60a, 60f. The pad portions 67
lack ventilation
apertures 66 and are provided for securing the outer fingers 60a, 60f to the
helmet 10. More
specifically, the pad portions 67 are attached to a pair of front attachment
locations 70 that
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offset the outer fingers 60a, 60f from the inner surface 58 of the helmet 10,
as discussed
further below. Distal ends 64 of the outer fingers 60a, 60f extend into the
adjustment
mechanism 26 located substantially adjacent the rear portion 38 of the helmet
10.
[0039] When the helmet 10 is properly worn, the outer fingers 60a, 60f
extend laterally
from the wearer's forehead, around the sides of the wearer's head 6, passing
approximately
over the wearer's temples, and into the adjustment mechanism 26. In some
embodiments,
including the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 26 is
configured for direct
engagement with the wearer's head 6 and includes an actuator 69 (such as a
dial, knob, or
other adjustor that reels in or pays out the distal ends 64 of the outer
fingers 60a, 600 to
adjust the fit of the internal ventilation system 56. For example, by reeling
in the distal ends
64 of the outer fingers 60a, 60f, the internal ventilation system 56 is
tightened against the
wearer's head 6, whereas by paying out the distal ends 64 of the outer fingers
60a, 60f, the
internal ventilation system 56 is loosened from the wearer's head 6. In this
regard, the outer
fingers 60a, 60f are adjustable to account for the size of the wearer's head
6.
[0040] It should be understood that use and incorporation of the adjustment
mechanism
26 with the internal ventilation system 56 is not required. For example, in
some
embodiments, the internal ventilation system 56 may be of a substantially
fixed size and
configuration, wherein such variations in the size or shape of a wearer's head
may be
accommodated by the flexibility of the materials of the system 56. Some
embodiments may
also or alternatively include fit adjusting components or structure distinct
from the internal
ventilation system 56. For example, in one exemplary embodiment the outer
fingers 60a, 60f
terminate near the front attachment locations 70, and a separate strap, band,
or similar
structure may be provided that extends generally around the rear occipital
region of the
wearer's head 6. The strap, band, or similar structure may formed of a
resilient material, such
as elastic, and may therefore be inherently adjustable, or the strap, band or
similar structure
may be operably connected to an adjustment mechanism similar to the adjustment
mechanism
26 discussed above.
[0041] Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-8, a second
pair of the
fingers 60 includes the innermost fingers 60c and 60d that extend generally
rearward along
the inner helmet surface 58 from the frontal portion 30, along the crown
portion 34, and
toward the rear portion 38 of the helmet 10. Distal ends 68 of the innermost
fingers 60a, 60f
are attached to the interior of the helmet 10 at first rear attachment
locations 72 (FIG. 7),
which are raised relative to the inner helmet surface 58 of the helmet 10, as
discussed further
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below. When the helmet 10 is properly worn, the innermost fingers 60c, 60d
extend
generally from the wearer's forehead and over the crown of the wearer's head
6.
[0042] A third pair of the fingers 60 includes the intermediate fingers 60b
and 60e that
extend generally upwardly and outwardly along the inner helmet surface 58 from
the frontal
portion 30, around and over the wearer's head 6, and inwardly and downwardly
toward the
rear portion 38. Distal ends 76 of the intermediate fingers 60b, 60e are
attached to the
interior of the helmet 10 at second rear attachment locations 80 (FIG. 7),
which are raised
relative to the inner surface 58 of the helmet 10, as discussed further below.
When viewed
from the front of the helmet 10, the intermediate fingers 60b, 60e are
oriented at
approximately 90 degrees with respect to one another, and extend over the
wearer's head 6 at
a location substantially mid-way between the outer fingers 60a, 60f and the
innermost fingers
60c, 60d.
[0043] Although the illustrated helmet 10 includes six fingers 60, it
should be appreciated
that more or fewer fingers, and fingers having different shapes, sizes,
configurations, and
orientations may be utilized. For example, a heavier helmet may require
additional support
and, as such, additional or larger fingers, and additional attachment points
may be
incorporated into the internal ventilation system 56 and into the inner layer
18. In another
exemplary embodiment, rather than two innermost fingers 60c, 60d, a single
center finger
extending substantially down the middle of the helmet 10 may be provided. In
still other
embodiments, the innermost fingers 60c, 60d may be removed entirely, leaving
the two
intermediate fingers 60b, 60e. In still other embodiments, rather than
including fingers 60
that extend generally from front to back, the internal ventilation system 56
may include
fingers 60 that extend transversely from side to side and/or generally
diagonally through the
helmet 10. In such alternative embodiments, the specific position of the
attachment locations
may be changed to account for the different orientation of the fingers 60.
[0044] Other embodiments of the internal ventilation system 56 may also or
alternatively
include one or more annular structures coupled to the inner layer 18 at
suitably positioned
attachment locations. Such annular structures may be complete circles or
partial circles
configured to directly engage crown portions of the wearer's head 6. The
annular structures
may be arranged generally in a concentric fashion, with the smallest annular
structure
positioned nearest a top of the wearer's head 6, and with larger annular
structures being
positioned lower on the wearer's head 6. The concentric structures may be
joined to one
another by generally radially extending web sections, or may be individually
coupled to
attachment locations provided on the inner layer 18 and offset from the inner
helmet surface
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58. Some embodiments may also include a combination of one or more annular
structures
and one or more fingers 60. The one or more annular structures can be combined
with
fingers 60 extending generally front to back, side to side, diagonally, or any
combination
thereof.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, each of the pad portions 67
and the distal
ends 68, 76 of the innermost fingers 60c, 60d and the intermediate fingers
60b, 60e are
provided with a mounting projections 83 that extend outwardly (for example out
of the page
as viewed in FIG. 8) from their respective fingers 60. The mounting
projections 83 of the
illustrated embodiment are inserted into the appropriate front mounting
location 70, first rear
mounting location 72, or second rear mounting location 80 and help secure the
internal
ventilation system 56 to the inner layer 18 of the helmet 10.
[0046] Referring also to FIGS. 9 and 10, the front portion 61 of the
internal ventilation
system 56 is spaced from the frontal portion 30 of the helmet 10 by a forehead
gap 84. The
forehead gap 84 forms part of the overall gap G (namely the leading portion of
the gap G)
discussed above that offsets the inner surface 58 of the helmet 10 from the
wearer's head 6.
The forehead gap 84 is provided by the pair of front attachment locations 70,
to which the
pad portions 67 of the outer fingers 60a, 60f are attached, for example by way
of the
mounting projections 83. In some embodiments, including the illustrated
embodiment, the
front attachment locations 70 are integrally formed with the inner layer 18,
and are defined by
raised projections 92 that extend generally inwardly from the inner surface 58
of the helmet
10. In this manner, the front attachment locations 70 are further inward than
the adjacent
portions of the inner layer 18. Other embodiments may include front attachment
locations 70
in the form of standoffs, posts, spacers, and the like that are joined to the
inner layer 18. In
the illustrated embodiment, the pad portions 67 of the outer fingers 60a, 60f
are secured to the
front attachment locations 70 by adhesive. However, in other embodiments the
pad portions
67 or some other portions of the outer fingers 60a, 60f can be secured to
front attachment
locations 70 by clips, clamps, snaps, hook and loop, and other types of
fasteners.
[0047] As best shown in FIGS. 6-9, in the illustrated embodiment, the front
attachment
locations 70 are located approximately one-quarter to one-third of the helmet
periphery from
the frontal portion 30 of the helmet 10, with one front attachment location 70
located on each
side of the helmet 10. The location and configuration of the front attachment
locations 70,
along with the configuration of the outer fingers 60a, 60f, are such that the
forehead gap 84
between the front portion 61 of the internal ventilation system 56 and the
inner surface 58 of
the helmet 10 remains substantially constant over the curved section that
extends between the
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front attachment locations 70. Moreover, the forehead gap 84 remains
substantially
unchanged when the helmet 10 is worn by the wearer 2. As best shown in FIG. 6,
the sides
and distal ends 64 of the outer fingers 60a, 60f are similarly spaced away
from the inner
surface 58 of the helmet 10 to maintain the gap G between the inner surface 58
of the helmet
10 and the wearer's head 6. As such, during forward movement the forehead gap
84 allows
air contacting the wearer's forehead to flow upwardly and over the wearer's
head 6.
[0048] Referring also to FIG. 11, the intermediate fingers 60b, 60e and the
innermost
fingers 60c, 60d each extend rearwardly from the front portion 61 of the
internal ventilation
system 56 to respective first rear attachment locations 72 and second rear
attachment
locations 80. In some embodiments, including the illustrated embodiment, the
first and
second rear attachment locations 72, 80 are integrally formed with the inner
layer 18, and are
defined by raised projections 94 that extend generally inwardly from the inner
surface 58 of
the helmet 10. In this manner, the first and second rear attachment locations
72, 80 are
further inward than the adjacent portions of the inner layer 18. Other
embodiments may
include first and/or second rear attachment locations 72, 80 in the form of
standoffs, posts,
spacers, and the like that are joined to the inner layer 18. Moreover, in the
illustrated
embodiment, the distal ends 68, 76 of the respective innermost fingers 60c,
60d and outer
fingers 60b, 60e are secured to the first and second rear attachment locations
72, 80 by
adhesive. However, in other embodiments the distal ends 68, 76 or some other
portions of
the innermost fingers 60c, 60d and/or the outer fingers 60b, 60e can be
secured to rear
attachment locations 72, 80 by clips, clamps, snaps, hook and loop, and other
types of
fasteners.
[0049] As shown throughout the Figures, including also FIGS. 12 and 13, the
internal
ventilation system 56 is supported or otherwise spaced away from the inner
surface 58 of the
helmet 10 by the combination of the front attachment locations 70 and the
first and second
rear attachment locations 72, 80. When the helmet 10 is worn, the fingers 60
of the internal
ventilation system 56 intimately contact the wearer's head 6, while the inner
helmet surface
58 of the helmet is spaced away from the wearer's head 6 to form the gap G. In
this manner
the inner surface 58 is offset from the wearer's head 6 to provide the gap G.
The gap G
includes the forehead gap 84 discussed above, which extends generally along
the wearer's
forehead between the two front attachment locations 70. The gap G also
includes innermost
finger gaps 98 defined between the inner surface 58 and the innermost fingers
60c, 60d, and
which extend generally from the forehead gap 84 rearwardly to the first rear
attachment
locations 72. The gap G also includes intermediate finger gaps 102 defined
between the inner
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surface 58 and the intermediate fingers 60b, 60e, and which extend generally
from the
forehead gap 84 rearwardly to the second rear attachment locations 80.
[0050] FIGS. 14-17 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention
where features
of the alternative embodiment corresponding to features of the embodiment
shown in FIGS.
1-13 have been given like reference numbers increased by 200. The helmet 210
of FIGS. 14-
17 is what is known in the art as a sprinter helmet. As shown, the helmet 210
has far fewer
ventilation openings 252 than the road helmet of FIGS. 1-13. As shown in FIGS
15-17, the
internal ventilation system 256 includes outer fingers 260a, 260f, that extend
into an
adjustment mechanism 226, and a pair of inner fingers 260c, 260d. In the
alternative
embodiment, the intermediate fingers have been eliminated, and the inner
fingers 260c, 260d,
which include rails 265 and ribs 271 (FIG. 17), have been widened.
[0051] The internal ventilation system 256 is attached to the inner layer
218 at front
mounting locations 270, and rear mounting locations 272 (FIG. 15). The front
and rear
mounting locations 270 and 272 are offset from the inner surface 258 of the
inner layer 218
such that, when the helmet 210 is worn, the internal ventilation system 256
provides a gap G
between the wearer's head 6 and the inner surface 258. As best shown in FIG.
16, the gap G
also includes a forehead gap 284 such that air contacting the wearer's
forehead can flow
upwardly between the wearer's forehead and the inner surface 258 of the inner
layer 218.
The gap G also includes inner finger gaps 298 between the inner fingers 260c,
260d and the
inner surface 258. In the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 14-17, the inner
layer 218 is
provided with recessed channels 110 that communicate with the forehead gap 284
to provide
additional air flow into the gap G between the surface of the wearer's head
and the inner
surface 258.
[0052] By spacing the inner surface 58, 258 of the helmet 10, 210 away from
the
wearer's head 6 and creating the gap G, ventilating air flows between the
wearer's head 6 and
the helmet 10, 210 (see FIG. 4), thereby improving ventilation and reducing
heat build-up
within the helmet 10, 210, which in turn helps to cool the wearer's head 6.
When moving in
a forward direction relative to the ground, such as when the cyclist 2 pedals
the bicycle 4, air
proximate the wearer's forehead flows upwardly through the forehead gap 84,
284 and then
generally rearwardly, around, and through the gap G, including along the
innermost finger
gaps 98, 298 and intermediate finger gaps 102. Air can then exit the helmet
10, 210 through
one of the ventilation openings 52, 252 provided in the rear portion 38 of the
helmet 10.
Furthermore, because the first and second rear attachment locations 72, 80 (in
helmet 10),
and the rear attachment locations 272 are laterally spaced apart from each
other, air is also
CA 02869746 2014-10-06
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PCT/US2013/035507
12
permitted to flow generally downwardly between the various rear attachment
locations 72,
80, 272 and can exit the helmet 10 by flowing generally downwardly and over
the back of the
wearer's neck. Such downwardly-directed flow that passes over the back of the
wearer's
neck may be particularly prominent in embodiments like the embodiment of FIGS.
14-17 or
in the aero helmet discussed above, which have few or no ventilation openings
52, 252
through which the air might otherwise exit the helmet 210. Thus, with the
exception of the
extremely small surface area of the wearer's head 6 that is in intimate
contact with the fingers
60, 260, substantially the entire surface of the wearer's head 6 is exposed to
ventilating air
flow through the gap G. The structure of the internal ventilation systems 56,
256 discussed
above maintain the gap G between the inner helmet surface 58, 258 and the
wearer's head 6
while the respective helmet 10, 210 is worn during the cycling activity.
[0053] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to those
skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation
shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
